STM - Don't hold metro doors

HOLDING METRO DOORS

Don't do it - even though it may seem like a good idea!

"The train takes so long to leave the station!", "The driver's braking too suddenly!" These are the sorts of complaints you sometimes hear on the metro. But did you know it's often passenger behaviour, voluntary or involuntary, that causes some of these disturbances?

For example, holding the doors open to let a person board at the last second, or getting your backpack caught without noticing it, can affect metro service. Each time a set of doors is held open, this holds up the train's departure by anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. This creates a domino effect on the whole line.

People generally mean no harm when they hold metro doors. They just want to let in people trying to catch the train or wait for friends to come aboard. In fact, they mostly just want to help.

But it can lead to injuries - serious ones in some cases. By holding the doors when the train is stopped or trying to force them open as the train starts up, you run the risk of seriously injuring yourself or others because of the resulting sudden stop. About a hundred injuries are reported each year.

Not to mention the impact on service...
It also slows down service, especially during rush hour when trains are closer together. For safety reasons, the line operators have to slow down the entire line.

These delays add up to more than 14 hours a year. This isn't surprising when you realize that every minute, 2 500 metro doors open or close. Just think about the consequences for passengers - delays, missed transfers and longer travel times.

An infraction under bylaw R-036
The symbol posted on metro doors reminds you that it's forbidden to hold them open. Because of the risks involved with this kind of behaviour, bylaw R-036 forbids hindering or delaying the closing of a vehicle door. Anyone who violates this regulation is subject to fines ranging from $150 to $500, with or without costs..

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